SAB to spruce up weekends with Comedy Superstar

Comic fiction has been the forte of SAB TV. Though, other channels have created fiction shows sporadically which induce laughter, SAB is unshaken when it comes to the complete comic package. Taking it further, it is now launching a comic reality show Comedy Superstar over the weekends at 10 p.m. slot starting 22nd August. The show produced by Pyramid Productions would consist of 26 one hour episodes. Objective, of course, is to find the ultimate entertainer.

Talking about this new launch by the channel, Anooj Kapoor, Senior EVP & Business Head - SAB TV says, “Comedy Superstar is our latest offering and we have kept up with our promise of always delivering entertainment that is unadulterated and yet unique in terms of concept and treatment. It is different from what we have done before and we believe in providing a platform to budding talent, so that they can exhibit their flair.”

Weekends, are increasingly witnessing reality shows as they cater to a slightly different TG too – those who want to sit back and relax on weekends and are not glued to the television on weekdays. Anooj opines, “There is a strong audience for reality shows on weekends and hence reality shows do very well on Saturdays and Sundays. However, there is nothing much happening over the weekends as far as comedy reality shows are concerned. Hence, we felt there is a gap and we have come up with this fresh format.”

To keep the show fresh and have the novelty factor work for it, the channel has made sure that contestants are fresh and judges too bring their own flavour to the show. As Anooj elaborates, “We have auditioned contestants all over the country and have chosen 12 out of the lot. They are all fresh talent, and I think which is why we will have a connection. If you see other shows which are on air in this genre, people who perform are ones you have seen 100 times with humour that is repetitive. Also, there is no toilet humour. The show is fresh and has content that can be watched with family.”

As for the Judges they are very well-known names: Sushmita Sen, Sonu Sood and Shekhar Suman. They are expected to add an interesting dimension to the show. As Anooj says, “Shekhar Suman is a known face in the comic genre. Apart from that, we have taken Sushmita Sen and Sonu Sood. As for their credentials in comedy, Sushmita Sen has worked in some of the biggest comedy films like Biwi No 1, Main Hoon Na etc. Sonu, meanwhile, is one of those guys who has not only made the villain loveable but has played comic villain successfully.” Interestingly, the contestants would be judged by these three and there would be no public voting on any platform.

On talking about the future opportunities that will be available to the contestants, Anooj points out “To begin with, there is already opportunity available on Sab TV. They are under contract with us for three years and after that they are free to do whatever they want to.”

The show is planning a digital heavy marketing strategy. Besides Facebook and Twitter, it plans to use Dubmash extensively. A first, perhaps, for any show in India and RoI it gets through Dubmash would be watched with some interest.

Comedy Superstar will be hosted by Jay Soni and Sudeepa Singh who will be adding their own flavour of comedy to the show.